Five of the best: artisan breweries

updated 10/15/2012

Brouwerij Brand

Limburg w brand.nl. The country’s oldest brewery turns out a limited range of dark and blond beers plus a particularly tasty, cherry-coloured Dubbelbock.

Brouwerij Emelisse

Kamperland w emelisse.nl. Distinctive stuff – try their Imperial Russian Stout.

Brouwerij de Koningshoeven

Tilburg. The Netherlands only Trappist brewery produces several strong dark ales, notably La Trappe Quadrupel. Distributed by the country’s second largest brewer, Bavaria (w bavaria.com).

Brouwerij de Molen

Amsterdam w brouwerijdemolen.nl. Several good brews from this discrete little brewery – look out for their Hemel & Aarde (Heaven & Earth).

Gulpener

Limburg w gulpener.nl. Burgeoning brewery noted for its tasty lagers made from prime ingredients; their Gulpener Oud Bruin is an especially tangy dark ale.

Travel advice for Netherlands

written by Keith Drew

updated 10/15/2012

A former Rough Guides Managing Editor, Keith Drew has written or updated over a dozen Rough Guides, including Costa Rica, Japan and Morocco. As well as writing for The Telegraph, The Guardian and BRITAIN Magazine, among others, he also runs family-travel website Lijoma.com. Follow him @keithdrewtravel on Twitter and @BigTrips4LittleTravellers on Instagram.